American football player OJ Murdock found dead in car

An American football player has been found dead in a car outside his former
high school following an apparent suicide.

OJ Murdock had been unable to play due to an Achilles injury.Photo: GETTY

11:53PM BST 30 Jul 2012

OJ Murdock, 25, appeared to have shot himself in front of his old school in Tampa, Florida, and was found dying early on Monday morning.

He was taken to hospital but died two hours later, police said.

Murdock signed with the Tennessee Titans last year but never played a National Football League game due to an ongoing Achilles injury.

He did not report for training over the weekend and his coach, Muke Munchak, told reporters on Saturday that he "had some personal things come up" but was expecting to rejoin the team shortly.

"We are shocked and saddened to hear of OJ Murdock's death this morning," the Titans said in a statement . "In his brief time here, a number of our players, coaches and staff had grown close to OJ, and this is a difficult time for them.

"He spent the last year battling back from an Achilles injury as he prepared for this year's training camp. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they try to cope with this tragedy."

In the past 18 months three former football players have all killed themselves with guns, reigniting the debate over whether the sport needs to do more to combat brain injuries.

Two of the former players - Ray Easterling and Dave Duerson, were found in autopsies to have brain damage and their families are suing the NFL.